Vinyl Fence Styles - How to Install Vinyl Fence

"Good fences make good neighbors" - from a poem by Robert Frost

As an alternative to the traditional wooden picket frames and rails, vinyl fencing has gained popularity in the recent years. Fabricated out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl fencing advantages are many, one of them being that they can last a lifetime with zero maintenance. A vinyl fence offers a more modern look with designs like post and rail fencing, traditional wood fencing or decorative iron fencing. Most of the vinyl fence styles are available in white, tan, gray and almond colors. Although they cost twice as much as a normal wooden fence, these fences have gained popularity, as a remedy for the hassles of sanding, painting, sealing or staining the fence. Homeowners can simply hose away the dirt and not be worried about the fences warping, rusting, rotting, splintering, fading or peeling.

The initial vinyl fences that were manufactured by PVC pipe manufactures in the 1980s, did not fare well with the general public. The destructive UV rays caused the fences to break or turn yellow when exposed to sunlight. Later on, manufactures took steps to redress the problem by developing a technology that allowed the production of the vinyl, in two layers that were chemically bonded to one another. The process, referred to as coextrusion, revolutionized vinyl fences by increasing their durability and avoiding ultraviolet degradation.

Vinyl Fence Styles
Choosing the right vinyl fence style for your property, might be quite a hassle. The basic thing to understand before making your choice, is knowing how you plan to use the fence. For example, if you want privacy, a six-foot panel fence is an ideal choice. For those who are more into landscaping, a shorter picket fence or a post-and-beam style is a great accessory for the garden. Now that you have planned out the utility of the fence, a look into the different styles will allow you to determine which style would accomplish these functions.

There are a host of vinyl fence styles available. Here is a look at the most popular ones available in the market:

Privacy Style: The ultimate in vinyl fencing, the privacy style fence offers the most solid barrier. Generally 4-6' tall, these fences are used around swimming pools and on property lines, usually to conceal unsightly areas or roadways.

Picket Style: These fences are aesthetically appealing and are made to keep children and pets in the yard. Shorter than a privacy style fence, they measure 4' or less and do not completely block the outside view. In addition to a straight picket, there are closed picket, convex picket and concave picket fences available.

Post and Rail Fencing: The post and rail varieties range in height from 3 to 5 feet and are perfect for horse or cattle farmers.

Shadowbox: Using alternating panels across the back and front, to give the fence the same look on both sides, the shadowbox style is an ideal 'neighborly' fence style. These fences are generally taller, usually around 6' and have the look of a privacy fence, while still allowing more air circulation.

In addition to this, there are ornamental style fences, split rail style fences, semi private, contemporary, classic and a host of different styles of picket fences available.

How To Install Vinyl Fences?
Although installing a vinyl fence post is a daunting task, it can be easily done with the availability of proper tools.

• The first step is to chalk out the layout of the fence using a graph paper. This not only makes the drawing easier, but allows you to make provisions for the width of the fence panels and gates. This makes sure that you are not stranded with odd-sized bays, that can complicate installation, at the end of the day.
• The next step is marking the fence line by using the hand-drawn diagram. Mark the place where each post should be placed, with spray paint. The accuracy of the measurements should be ascertained with a 2 by 4 inch spacer.
• Use a posthole digger or power auger to drill in the holes, which need to be 10'' in diameter and 6'' deep. This would allow for the gravel backfill before the filling in of the concrete.
• After the gravel is added to the holes, fill in the concrete. Choose a quick-setting one, to speed up the process. Now the hollow posts need to be lowered into the concrete, allowing it to fill the center portion of the post, in the hole. Check the plumb and alignments before setting the panels and allowing the concrete to harden.
• Attach the rail brackets to the fence posts using the screws. Once all the rail hangers are attached to the fence posts, slide the panels into the brackets and use screws to fasten the panels to the hangers. To install the accessories, glue the top to the posts using a vinyl adhesive and place it on the posts.

Installing vinyl fences on your own can help you save thousands of dollars. All you need is a sense of what looks good and the skill to use a level and string. Take your time to plan and install the fences, to avoid any costly mistakes that are difficult to undo. Finally, before making a choice, solicit multiple bids from established and reputable contractors to find cheap vinyl fences of good quality.